Liard residents advocate recreation, not intoxication
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Liard (Mar 09/01) - Some Fort Liard residents want to see more leisurely activities for adults as an alternative to alcohol and drugs.
"The bottom line was that people said there's nothing to do in town," said Joanne Deneron, who chaired a community meeting on social problems in late February.
"Someone said, 'We have this hall here, why don't we utilize that?'" Deneron said.
"The only time we use that hall is for a funeral or at Christmas time for a feast."
With close to 50 people in attendance, it was decided that a family drop-in night will be held at the community hall every Thursday. Games, cards, music and conversation will be on tap.
It's hoped weekly meetings will continue to be held to offer support and elicit new ideas for recreational pursuits, Deneron noted.
If there is enough interest, activities could be offered more throughout the week.
"So that we're not just going home from work upset with no place to go and nothing to do," she said, adding that there are organized sports in the community, but not everyone is necessarily interested in playing.
The meeting seemed to be a much-needed catalyst to address the problem.
"It was good all the way around... we're going to really make an effort so that this continues on," said Deneron.
